Harrison Genealogy Repository

Elijah COOPER

____ - 1797

Repository ID Number: I3326

Notes

Elijah Cooper and his wife lived the first year on the property
of his uncle, James Harrison. A short time afterward Elijah
Cooper bought a tract of land not far from his uncle and his
father-in-law, Thomas Greer. On the road leading to Adam's Ford
on Tyger River. Thomas Greer was an important man in the Rev.
War and in SC.

One of the sons of Elijah H. Cooper and S. Greer was James
William Cooper who went by the initials, J.W.. One of J.W.'s
sons wrote him in 1856 and asked about his heritage. This 6
page letter can be found in the Book of Greer and Related
Families. This six page letter he recalls, to the best of his
knowledge, the off-spring of William Cooper and Mary Polly
Harrison. He makes one terrible omission. He omits William
Cooper II, he lists Elijah H. Cooper, John, Andrew, Abner,
Richard, Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth. This omission has been the
genesis of a lot of errors eg. Tennessee Cousins.

LETTER FROM J.W. COOPER [son of Elijah] TO HIS SON

the South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral ResearchVol 14

[p.29] The following letter was written from James William
Cooper to his son William King Cooper. The typescript below was
made from a photocopy of the copy made by William King Cooper
for his brother James Young Cooper, and is preserved by
descendants of the latter.

Simpsonville Academy Copied April 10th 11, & 12 1860

August 14th 1856

My Dear Son:

At your request, I commence writing a few things (so far as my
recollection can be depended on)

With regard to our ancestry, I am not able to go farther back
than to my Grandfather on my Father's side. I think my
Grandfather William Cooper was a Virginian but moved in early
life to Granville Co. N. C. He married into the Harrison family.
Jas. Harrison his brother in law was Grandfather to the late
Judge Earl of South Carolina. In the time of the revolution he
bore a part in that memorable event at Gilfour C. H. and other
places, his was a daring spirit.

page 30 When Daniel Boon was exploring Kentucky he was with him:
as well as I remember, he told me, when the Kentucky lines were
marked out he was one of the No. though his name is spelt Cook.
He sold his possessions with the intention of moving to that
country: but on the breaking out of hostilities with the Indians
his family preremptorily refused to go.

Some time afterward he moved to Union Dist. S. C. before leaving
N. C. he had five sons and two daughters Elijah, my Father,
John, Andrew, Abner and Richard, Sallie & Pollie.

Some years before the family came to this country, Elijah, a
young man came to this county to his Uncle's James Harrisons,
then living near Darby's old store in Union Dist. S. C. While
there he formed an acquaintance with my Mother Susan Greer he
went back to N. C. served out his time with his Father came back
to this county & married (the marriage was not agreeable) and
lived the first year [p.30] with his Uncle Harrison. Some few
years afterwards he bought a tract of land not far distant from
his Uncle's on the road leading to Adam's old ford on Tiger
river where he lived until his death which took place Jan. 1798
[1797] was buried at old Fair Forest 1 think. he was raised in
the high church order and thought to be a member of the church
was sufficient, until he heard old Dr. Woodward preach a sermon
on the necessity of the new birth. From that time he never
rested until he obtained a hope in the merits of Christ. He
joined the Baptist Church and lived a pious life. While a young
man he worked at the house carpenter trade but in after life he
became a settled farmer.

My Grandfather on my Mother's side came from Ireland when quite
young, he sprung from the family of Whitesides in the northern
county. His parents landed in Wilmington, N. C. and settled in
or about Fayetsville. When Thomas Greer (my grandfather) grew to
manhood he formed an acquaintance with Sarah Smith my
grandmother and settled for a time on a deep river in N. C. When
the county was settling there was a No. joined together and
moved to the new country, Greer, Smith, Howard and others (see
Benedicts history of the Baptist) and settled in Union Dist. S.
C. near Darbys old store.

My great grandfather Smith settled on Tiger River at a place now
called Nixes ford, my grandfather Greer settled a few miles
below on the river. The time my Grandfather Greer and Sarah
Smith was married I have no account. They raised a large family,
I believe 14 sons & three daughters. I cannot give you all the
names (but will give what I can) Thomas, John, William, Robert,
Joseph, Carleton, Jacob, James, Joshua, Caleb, Jason and
Theophilus, the daughters were Pollie, Susanna, and Edith.

Thomas Greer Sen my grandfather died about the year 1811. Sarah
Greer my grandmother lived but a few years after the death of
her husband. They both lived to a good old age both being
members of the Baptist Church for many years. They were both
buried at the old Fairforest Church. Elijah Cooper my father,
and Susan Greer my mother was married by Thomas Blassingame Esq.
some time after the Revolution about the year 1786.

[p.31] They had four children J. W. Cooper myself, Polly G.
Cooper, Jessee and Thomas Cooper – I was the oldest, was born
Oct 16th 1785 [1788].

My Father died when I was small; though I can remember him I
remember seeing him read the bible: and hearing him pray. My
Mother lived on the same plantation for several years (a widow)
married Payton Simmons about the year 1803, and lived on the
same plantation until the year 1818, when they moved to
Spartanburg and settled near Cedar Springs My mother died about
the 1st Feb. 1851 She had been a member of the Baptist Church
nearly seventy years After the death of my Father she used to
call her little children around her and pray for herself and
them and that they might not come to want, that the Lord would
take care of them and bless them, that they all might come to a
saving knowledge of the truth. She lived to see them all become
members of the Baptist Church

After the death of my Father as soon as I was able to work I had
charge of the family as far as I was able, until my Mother
married again I lived there one year after her marriage then
went to work [at] the carpenters trade with one John Smith in
1804. We first worked at Ralf Jacksons Esqr near the cross keys
in Union Dist. There I became acquainted with my first wife
Elizabeth Jackson. About the year 1799 and 1800, I began to
think seriously about my future state. I soon found there was
nothing in me that would recommend me in favor of God I viewed
myself a lost and helpless sinner. I frequently, when I could be
in private, fall upon my knees and say God, be merciful to me a
sinner. In the year 1800 I thought I found relief I thought I
could see how God could save sinners through the merits of
Christ and still be holy, just, and good. with these views my
soul was transported beyond expression all creation smiled and
bespoke the majisty of God. Some time in that year I saw a man
baptised, I then fully believed that was the way christ was
baptised that was enough for me I wanted to follow him. In the
latter part of the year about November, I offered myself to the
old Pagets Creek [Church] and was received on christmas day
following I was baptised by the Rev. Thomas Greer, at Nix's ford
on Tiger river in my twelveth year of my age.

in the year 1808 I was married to Elizabeth Jackson, by Rev.
Thomas Ray Who also had become a member of the same church. In
[p.32] the year 1802, I settled in Union Dist. between Tiger
river and fairforest about two miles from Darbys old store. I
lived there a few years until I became the Father of two
children Levina & Elijah. In this time the old Fairforest church
was formed. My wife and myself were both constituent members. I
became unhealthy sold my possessions and bought in Spartanburg
in the fail of 1813 and moved there (on the place upon which I
now live) in 1814. When we moved to Spartanburg we joined the
Cedar Spring Church in May 1814. There we had two other children
Sallie & Jackson My wife went to Union to see her Father in Jan
1817 was taken sick while there and never returned home: She
died on the 6th of Feb. 1817 leaving me a poor disconsolate man,
with four small children to take care of, the scenes I then
passed through was like tearing the flesh from the bone. My
prayer to God was that I might not be forsaken; but that I might
be sustained by grace. In the course of the year 1817, I became
acquainted with your mother Lucy King daughter of John & Sarah
King near Rich Hill in Spartanburg Dist. on the 16th of December
1817 we were married at early candle light by the Rev. George
Philips. we have raised a large family.

My first children Levina Cooper was born June 25th 1809, was
married to John Smith Dec. 27th 1832. Elijah Cooper was born May
12th 1812, was married to Sarah Gordon the year [June 21, 1835].
Sarah Cooper was born July 6th 1812, was married to Harrison
Yates Nov. 26th 1835, died in the State of Ga. Oct. 7th 1841.
Ralph Jackson Cooper was born Dec. 15th 1816, was married to
Permelia Campbell, March 28th 1844.

After my second marriage we had nine daughters & two sons
Louisa, first daughter was born Jan. 27th 1819, was married to
Thomas Littlejohn April 15th 1856. Minerva was born Aptil 16
1820, was married to John Simpson March 2nd 1843. William King
Cooper was born March 22nd 1822, was married to Elizabeth
Johnson May 1st 1845. Caroline Cooper was born Sep. 29, 1823,
died 21 January 1825. Elizabeth Cooper, born August 23 1825, was
married to Thomas Littlejohn Feby. 16, 1845, Died Sep. 5th 1855.
Mary Cooper was born June 2nd 1827, was married to John W.
White.

page 33 Martha Cooper was born April 25 1829, died May 1st 1856.
Susan Ann Cooper, [p.33] born Feb. 8th 1831. James Young Cooper
was born Feb. 23, 1834. Nancy Jane Cooper was born June 9th
1836, was married to Wily H. Felker March 30th, 1852. Emily
Frances Cooper was born July 15th 1839.

page 34 Your Grandfather King was a Virginian. I know nothing of
his ancestry farther than that he was of good family. When the
Revolutionary war came on he was a young man, not of age. he
went into service as a substitute served out his time, went into
the army again for some time. I think not long until he inlisted
during the war. In the darkest period of the Revolution he was
taken from the ranks and attached to Gen. Washington's life
guard, he served in that capacity until the close of the war. He
was an eye witness to the distress of the army about Valley
forge, and many other places where their foot prints were marked
with blood. He was standing sentry at Gen. Washington's Markee
when Stuben the Prucian officer came. The life guard was soon
placed under his training, ‘till they became as well acquainted
with military tactics as the opportunities offered. He was never
in a general engagement; when ever one was expected, he was one
of the company that was sent to guard the Generals effects. When
the british army was moving down towards York Town in Virginia,
the American army was also moving on. He got a permit to go by
home for a few days: while there he was taken sick. After some
little time he thought he could travel, the first day he walked
Forty miles, he was so anxious to join the army before the
general engagement; but was again taken sick, was taken home,
lay a long time, never saw the army any more, before his
recovery the army was disbanded. He has often said it was one of
the most painful scenes in his life. After so much distress and
trouble, not to see the British Lion bow in subjection to the
American Eagle, The haughty Briton deliver up his sword to the
worn soldier of American independence.

After the revolution he formed an acquaintance with Sarah
Lemaster (also a Virginian) Miss Lemaster's Father moved to
South Carolina, Spartanburg Dist. and settled near Tollesons old
place (now called Buzzards roost). Mr. King came to this county
about a year after and married miss Lemaster about the year 1789
or 1790, and settled near Rich [p.34] Hill Spartanburg Dist. he
lived in the same neighborhood until his death, which took place
March 25 1842, Aged 84 years and two months. I will give you all
the ages of the family taken from the family record.

John King sen was born in Louesy Co. Virginia Jan 12th 1758.
Sarah Lemaster was born in Amherst Co. Virginia Sep 17th 1774.
They were married by Genl Hugh Means Esq. March 2nd 1790. Edmond
King 1st son of J. & S. King was born in Spartanburg Dist. S. C.
Dec 1st 1790. William King 2nd son was born March 19 1792. Mary
King 1st daughter was born March 8th 1794. Ann King 2nd daughter
was born November 7th 1796. Lucy 3rd daughter was born Nov 15
[or 16th as shown in other records and on tomb stone] 1798.
Elizabeth 4th daughter was born September 6th 1800. Martha 5th
daughter was born Oct 2 1801. Philip W 3rd son was born Oct 22nd
1803. Sarah 6th daughter was born January 11th 1806. (infant)
King 4 son was born Dec 8 1808. Margaret 7th daughter was born
Nov 2 1809. John M. King 5 son was born March 28 1812. Minvera
King 8th daughter was born May 25th 1815.

John King & Sarah Lemaster was married in Spartanburg S. C.
March 2nd 1790. James W. Cooper & Lucy King 3rd daughter of J. &
S. King was married Dec. 16, 1817. John Easley and Elizabeth
King was married Jan. 30, 1825. William King and Rhoda Smith was
married in Tennessee in the year 1825. David Reid & Margaret
King was married Oct 11th 1827. Hiram White and Sarah King was
married Nov 11 1828. Philip W. King and Polly Browning was
married in Tennessee August 1st 1829. Edmund King and Mary
Emberson was married in Tennessee January 30 1830. John Gossett
and Martha King was married Dec 15 1830. John M King and Sarah
Hammett was married Nov 1st 1842.

The end

[on reverse]

Dear Brother

You will find that I have not punctuated this geneology. It is
changed very little from the original in some places
abbreviated.
[S247]